VERY Clingy Toddler

Mu daughter was exactly like that when she was one year old. I couldn't do anything around the house when I was at home with her, not even make myself coffee in the morning. If turn around and step away she starts to cry. But she loved playing with me or reading a book, or sometimes she would play by herself fine and I was just sitting in the corner watching her, and I wa thinking I could just quietly get up and go to the kitchen, but as soon as I get up she notices and stands up and goes to me and doesn't want to let me go anywhere. Well, I still needed to do things around the house, so every time I has to go to another room I would just pick her up with one hand and carry her with me, and I had my other hand free to do stuff that I wanted to do. It's was a little difficult for me, but manageable.
Now my daughter is 2 and I don't have tat problem anymore. She is more independant, and can play in the living room and push her car around while I am cleaning up in the kitchen. I can also leave her in her room and tell her to wait for me, and I would go to another room to pick up the phone (or whatever), and return shortly, and she would be waiting for me without crying.
I think 1 year is just such an age that they always want to be around you and feel safe :)

I know it is frustrating...but I had to laugh because it reminded me of the times I would pull out the "strap-on" carrier and just lug my son around trying to get something done. I have a VERY bad back, so it wasn't a pleasant thing to do. It's one of those "I'll laugh about it later" things. Anyway, I think it's just a stage because now my son (18 months) hardly wants me to do anything with him. Of course he waits until I have to make dinner or I'm in the middle of something to scream for me. But for the most part he just wants to discover things on his own. Hang in there "this too shall pass".

Baby Einstein videos are great. I would put Jazz or Classical music on for my daughter now I have a 5 and 10 year old who likes Jazz

I went through the same thing a couple of months ago with my one year old. I would want to start dinner when I got home from work, but my toddler would become furious if I focused on anything other than him. I tried ignoring him, or distracting him, but nothing worked, and I wound up being so stressed that I wasn't hungry anymore.

What I wound up doing is cooking really simple meals that he could "help" me with. I would let him grind the pepper, and when I wasn't doing anything that would splatter on him, I carried him so he could see what I was doing. One of those hip-carrying baby-wearers would have been really useful. The same thing goes for laundry. He helps me take the clothes out of the dryer and "folds" them.

I really like the way things are now. My son takes an active role in chores, and he's happy about it. Then again, sometimes I think he purposefully spills things because he knows I'll get a paper towel and expect him to clean it up, which he loves. Anyway, it'll take more time to get anything done, but I would try to include your daughter in the things you do.

Hi C.! Unfortunately, separation anxiety is very common at this age. You can start to make her feel okay with you not being around by leaving the room and telling her "you'll be right back." At first, only just go around the corner and literally come right back. Always use the same phrase, (I'll be right back) and when you get back, make a big celebration and assure her that, "See! Mama came right back!" After awhile, you'll be able to tell her, "I'm going to go to the bathroom (or whatever) and I'll be right back." You'll build up that trust and she'll start to know that you're only leaving for a few minutes.

If her room is childproofed or if you can in another room gate her in for short periods of time when you NEED to get something done. I had to do this so I could take a shower when my daughter was around that age. I would put a gate in her bedroom doorway and she would play with her toys and was able to walk around. I liked doing that then trying to confine a walker to a playpen. My daughter didn't mind for yours you may have to let her cry it out. I wouldn't leave my daughter in there but for 10/15 min. at a time.